I don't want to go!

Last Friday was Victor's last day...the only problem was that he didn't know. I found out on Tuesday from his mom that Friday would be his last day due to a family situation and him needing to go out of town and spend time with his grandparents. Missing the last 7 days of school was not a concern. Victor passed all of his TAKS tests and had done very well this year!

I couldn't allow him to leave for the summer without some sort of mini-celebration for him. After all, we will have one on the last day of school for the entire class. I bought him his own cupcake, made his end of the year present early, and told the kids so that we everyone would be sure to send him off to summer positively.

The afternoon was ticking by. I knew that I would eventually have to tell Victor that today was his last day at school for the year. 2:15 finally arrived. Ms. H, another teacher and myself called Victor over to my desk. If I remember correctly, this is a little how the conversation went:

Me: "Victor...
Teacher 1: "Victor, well...
Me: "Victor...well...today...is...your last day at school for the summer."
Victor: "WHAT?!?!"
Me: "You are going on vacation with your grandparents tomorrow."
Victor: "I DON'T WANT TO GO! I'M NOT GOING! NO!!!!!"
Me: "It's not a choice."
Victor: "WHO TOLD YOU THIS?"
Me: "Your mom."
Victor: "WHY? I don't want to go. I need to stay at school and learn more. I have more to learn. I can't miss school. I can't go. I don't want to go." (begins pacing around the room)
Me: "Victor, can you tell me how you are feeling?"
Victor: "I...I...I am...I am feeling...upset!"
Me: "Why are you feeling upset?"
Victor: "Because I don't want to go. I have more to learn."
Me: "Victor...you have my permission to go. You passed all of your TAKS tests and you have learned everything you need to in 4th grade. You passed 4th grade with flying colors and you deserve to start your vacation early."
Victor: "But other kids don't miss the end of the year. Is _____ going to be here the rest of the year?"
Me: "_____ will be on vacation this summer. Lots of kids go on vacation this summer. (speaking to the class) "Raise your hand if you are going on vacation this summer."
Class: (every child raises their hand)
Me: "See, it will be okay...everyone goes on vacation."
Victor: (goes around asking kids how long they will be on vacation and if they will miss any school and still pacing the classroom and beginning to accept the reality that this is his last day...or last afternoon in the classroom)

IN THE MEANTIME...the entire class is being ridiculous. By ridiculous, I mean that they are in tears. 75% of the class has tears rolling down their faces. I don't understand this because it's not like this was Victor's last day at our school forever and most of them will see him again next year. In fact, there were kids crying that didn't even seem to be very good friends with Victor this year. Now, this class was amazingly supportive of Victor at all times, but there is a difference between being friends with him and helping him in the classroom when he needed. I was glad that they all cared enough for Victor that they would miss him over the summer, but I felt that only a few kids really had the right to be so dramatic. I had kids rolling on the floor crying, others crying audibly anytime we looked over, and others with Kleenexes wet with tears. FOR REAL??

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The classroom has been quite a bit different since Victor's last day on Friday. Mainly that we are in the last 5 days of school and report cards have been verified. I can honestly say that having Victor in my class taught me so much. I loved that little boy and miss him. The growth he showed this year was impressive...so much so that everyone in the school has noticed. Knowing that a child can grow that much in one year gives me hope for every student in my class now and in the future.